Assistant Agricultural Research Technician (Dixon Springs) – Animal Sciences

Assistant Agricultural Research Technician (Dixon Springs)

Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES

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Job Summary

Work in a team-based environment to perform a wide variety of basic duties in service and support for agricultural animal research, teaching, demonstration, and production.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform all tasks relating to diet preparation and feeding of animals. This includes receiving, processing, mixing, storing and delivering food.
• Perform all duties related to research protocols and data collection procedures as they pertain to on-going research at assigned unit. This includes the careful maintenance of records for experimental animals as well as for herd animals. This may also include collection of data or specimens for diagnostic or environmental control procedures.
• Conduct cleaning, bedding, and repair of animal pens and other facilities as needed.
• Conduct routine and periodic maintenance of mechanized equipment, tools, and facilities involved with the unit’s operations.
• Remove waste, and animals from pens and facilities as required.
• Observe animals regularly, recognizing and reporting changes in eating or drinking habits and general behaviors and outward signs of disease or abnormal appearance/behaviors.
• Perform duties as they relate to general handling, moving, restraining, providing approved health care and general husbandry of the animals. This may include administration of medications and treatments.
• Observe animals for estrus, breed and/or assist in breeding as required. Maintain breeding records as required.
• Record and/or maintain animal health records, breeding data, or other necessary production or operational and husbandry records.
• Prepare livestock for teaching, research, and demonstration purposes. This includes the movement of animals from one location to another, either by walking them or through other means of approved mechanized transport.
• Perform duties as they relate to providing a clean, safe, and professional environment for the animals, fellow employees, the department, and the university.
• Perform duties in safe manner, to include but not limited to, handling livestock and safely utilizing various farm equipment potentially in confined spaces or areas with overhead electrical lines. Equipment utilized in this position includes but not limited to tractors, loaders, power take-off vehicle operation, post drivers, and chainsaw operation.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned. As needed, perform other related duties that involve or serve the needs of other departmental units. These may include performing agricultural tillage, crop production, harvesting, and forage/feed processing. Interact in a professional and polite manner with faculty, students, other university personnel, and the general public.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Position involves constantly traversing about the facility, remaining in stationary positions for long periods, pushing, and pulling. Position frequently involves safely lifting animals or equipment upwards of 50 pounds. Position involves ascending ladders and working at heights. Exposure to work around grain dust, animal dander, or other normal operating conditions of an animal unit. Position may require donning of personal protective equipment as appropriate. Contact with animal manure and other substances can occur on a daily basis, which may also be disagreeable to some people. Odor in clothing and on personnel or equipment can potentially be transferred to personal vehicles which may be disagreeable to some people. Unexpected movements by animals, especially when in close proximities, can result in rapidly changing conditions that require the employee to be acutely aware, to respond appropriately and quickly and to operate with care to avoid personal injuries.

Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations

Work schedules may vary according to production requirements with some overtime, weekend and holiday work required.
Position involves ability to remain calm in stressful situations and to respond quickly when working with animals. Position involves constantly varying research necessities, regulations, and operational requirements. Research and production requirements impose strict deadlines and must be met. Position involves following laws, regulations, policies and guidelines established by the Department, University, State, and Federal Levels.

Minimum Qualifications

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Possession of a valid Illinois vehicle operator’s license(s).
3. Any one or combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the categories below:
1. Coursework in agriculture, animal science, crop science, environmental science, or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

A.30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)

B. Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)

C.90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)

2. General agricultural experience as appropriate performing general animal, livestock or related farming duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and competency in providing care for and safe handling of agricultural animals or in performing agricultural crop production and research procedures.
• Knowledge of pesticide applications for crops and animals.
• Flexibility, patience, attentiveness, a willingness to cooperate, persistence, and reliability.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 2211 – Assistant Agricultural Research Technician position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/3/2026. The collective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $23.63 per hour

***Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position***.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 3^rd, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jonathon Mosley jfkosley@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions – every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence – where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1037131
Job Category: Service and Food Operations
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu